Riders take a break on their way to Granby, Colorado on June 16, 2011.

Day 5 started out with a bang – an immediate 14-mile, 3000-foot climb up to Rabbit Ears Pass as we traveled from Steamboat Springs to Granby. While the climb was challenging, beautiful and inspiring, people are tired. Their legs are tired, their willpower is tired, their good humor is tired.

The only thing that’s not tired is what’s left of their back ends. By now, everyone’s pretty much on fire, evidenced by the continual seat adjustments, the packets of chamois butter being hustled into the portajohns, the outright declarations: “My a** is on fire.”

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Riders on the road to Granby on Day 5.

After five days of riding, people have lost their shyness about their body parts. I’ve seen people adjusting on the side of the road, on their bikes, at the aid stations; trading chamois butter; walking funny at aid stations. And I don’t know about you, but I just don’t want that insight into people’s … stuff. But that’s how it goes with cycling. That’s why there’s a booming industry in “anatomically-friendly” bike seats, chamois butter, and bike shorts with high-tech chamois. It’s all about the butt.

As each day progresses it’s a bit harder to get out of bed & climb on the bike knowing what lays ahead. I was a little anxious last night thinking of the climb over Rabbit Ears pass and my full day in the saddle.

We were pleasantly greeted with temperatures in the mid 40’s. Unlike yesterday where very few rolled out early, I would say most folks left way early today. It was a fairly neutral 5 miles before heading into the pass. I know I’m fatigued because I can no longer read a map properly.

Do you remember your first bike or first road bike? As one pedals you have time to think. Unless your in a head wind all day, then all you think about is wind.

My first road bike was a 1984 Schwinn LeTour. Thankful for my parent’s help to get such a bike as cycling expanded the world for me. Introducing me to new places and friends. There were days I would strap into the pedals (Yes, strap in. Clipping wasn’t around yet, or at least not around for me. ) and ride for miles through the city.

In 2012, I asked a former colleague whether he was interested in running the Chicago Marathon. Two weeks later, he asked if I was interested in Ride the Rockies. I got a road bike, got on the tour, and have yet to regret it. This will be my third RTR.

Daniel Petty is the digital director of sports for The Denver Post. He competed in track and cross country all four years inc college, but that was six years ago. Now, he's doing Ride the Rockies for the first time.